Changes in sleep patterns during lockdown
It is just more than one year ago that many of our lives changed in an unprecedented way in response to the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, “lockdowns” were implemented in most countries, such that people were limited in the freedom to leave their homes (apart from for essential services). Unsurprisingly, this impacted many routine-oriented behaviours, of which sleep is one. A plethora of studies were conducted around the world in 2020 to obtain first glimpses into the immediate effects of lockdown and the pandemic on aspects of routine-oriented behaviour, physical and mental health. These studies utilised online surveys, asking respondents to report on their work, sleep, exercise and eating habits (among others) during lockdown, and in some cases before lockdown too for comparative purposes. We focus here on those presenting observations relating to sleep timing in response to lockdown.
How good are consumer fitness trackers in monitoring sleep?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it and healthcare is no exception. As society has had to adapt to a new socially distanced ‘normal’, healthcare has also tried to adapt to a telemedicine-focused approach to limit in-person visits1 and ensure the safety of patients and clinicians by any means necessary.
Sleep disorders and mood disorders and the chronic fatigue syndrome
Incapacitating fatigue which continues over at least 6 months duration is the key symptom for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Amongst the minor criteria (of which 4 are required for a full diagnosis) is unrefreshing sleep. A sleep disturbance is reported in 87-95% of patients with CFS and is thus a prominent symptom. While a number of these patients have a primary sleep disorder such as insomnia, periodic limb movements or obstructive sleep apnea2 which can be treated there are still a lot of patients with no clear reason for the sleep disturbance, unrefreshing sleep and daytime fatigue. At least one study has shown a high prevalence (40%) of sleep disorders, especially mild OSA, in patients misdiagnosed with CFS leading to the recommendation to have a full polysomnogram in order to exclude primary sleep disorders first before diagnosing CFS.3 Also improved sleep in CFS patients has been shown to impact positively on daytime function indicating the close relationship between the two.
Attempts allowed: 2
70% pass rate